Do I need to change the license plate when changing cars?

[JulietLee]

Changing cars requires changing the license plate. If you buy a used car, you will need to re-register it based on the allocated quota. If you purchase a new car, the vehicle management office will retain the old car's license plate for six months. Within these six months, if you have a new car under your name, you can reuse the old license plate without changing the plate number. At the same time, changing cars does not necessarily require changing the license plate number, but the following conditions must be met: 1. You must apply for the plate registration within six months after the original car is transferred or deregistered—even one day beyond this period is unacceptable, and these six months include holidays; 2. The original plate must have been used for at least three full years; 3. The original plate must have no traffic violations or unresolved accident records; 4. Only the original owner (individual or entity) can apply to retain the original plate—it cannot be transferred to another person; 5. Only a new car purchase qualifies for reusing the original plate—used cars do not (as per the Public Security Bureau's regulations); 6. The original plate can only be retained if the vehicle is transferred to another person or deregistered. If the vehicle is relocated to another region but remains under your name, the original plate cannot be retained.

[DaniellaAnn]

Changing cars usually requires changing the license plate as well, since the plate is tied to the vehicle. When I last dealt with this, I consulted the DMV staff, and they emphasized that the license plate follows the new owner or the new vehicle registration. For example, after selling my old car, the plate was automatically canceled, and the buyer would get a new one. However, in some cases, I can apply to retain the original license plate number if I’ve used the car for at least a year and complete the process within six months of cancellation. This saves some money and avoids updating insurance details. But don’t overlook that policies may vary if you’re switching cars across provinces—check local regulations beforehand. Overall, changing plates is straightforward, costing just a few hundred yuan in registration fees. The key is not to delay, as it could affect future inspections and road safety.

[GabrielRose]

I think changing cars means changing license plates, and that's mostly the case. My experience is that every time I buy a new car or sell an old one, the license plates don't carry over. For example, last year when I upgraded my car, the old license plate was reclaimed, and the new car had to go through the process of selecting a new number and registering. But there was an exception where my friend kept the old plate number—the condition was applying within six months of transferring ownership after using the car for a full year. The process was a bit troublesome, involving a few hundred yuan in fees. I recommend handling this early to avoid delays during the transfer. Also, don’t forget to update your insurance and owner information after changing plates. It doesn’t have a big impact, just takes a bit more time filling out forms, but once you get familiar, the process feels quite smooth.

[VonKevin]

Generally, when changing cars, you need to change the license plate as well. Don't think about lazily keeping the old number unless you meet specific requirements, such as the original car being used for at least one year and applying within six months after selling the car. I remember checking the policy—new vehicles must be registered with new plates; otherwise, it's invalid. The time window is short and easy to miss, so it's better to just get a new plate directly. Don't procrastinate to avoid unnecessary trouble.